Duffels.com

Heading off to college (or back to college as the case may be)? Well, among other things you’ll need including laptop bags, backpacks, pens, notebooks, and textbooks, consider getting a new duffle bag. Duffels have many uses while you’re in college including as gym bags, team sports bags, weekenders, and even luggage.

	Planning on working out between classes? A gym duffel bag is perfect for toting your shoes, clothes, towel, and water bottle with you to the gym or campus recreation center.
	If you play college sports whether on the school team or Intramural, you might find yourself in need of a sports sports team duffel to carry all your gear to and from games and practice.
	Whether you live in the dorms or in an apartment, if you travel home on the weekends or like to go on weekend road trips, a weekender duffle bag will come in handy. These bags are the perfect size for taking only what you need for a few days without being bulky like luggage.
	Finally, if you travel home for vacations such as the holidays, Spring Break, or over the summer, travel duffels are perfect as luggage. Not only do some of them meet airline carry-on size requirements like the eBags Mother Lode Mini, but quite a few styles come with wheels for easy maneuvering.

If you travel a lot, or are very athletic, you know that a good duffel bag is an essential accessory when it comes to transporting your sporting goods and personal items from game to game. Here are some duffel bag choices that are great no matter what sport you play; these bags will give you the space and features you need with the convenience you want.

If you like to go on skiing or snowboarding trips, you’ll definitely want a duffel bag that can hold all your supplies while you’re enjoying the slopes. Brands like CamelBak have created the SnoAngel, which is a compact bag that can fit on your shoulders and back while skiing without being cumbersome. You can fit up to 50 ounces of hydration into the backpack comfortably, and there is even a strap that goes around the sternum to eliminate back and neck pain. The bag is available in a trendy silver color, and you can also get the Moxie bag from CamelBak, which is great for surfing or camping trips.

Of course, Nike, one of the leaders in sports equipment manufacturing, has great duffel bags for the all-around athlete. The Brasilia Medium Duffel has just enough space for you to hold your water, sports drinks, and athletic uniforms, but isn’t too big that you can’t carry it with ease. The additional compartments and ID sleeve mean that you only have to carry one bag with you if you’re going to be on the court or the field all day, and the additional pouch connected to the bag for smaller items means you can organize all your belongings easily. The bag comes in a variety of colors, from light graphite, red, orange, and blue.

For a stylish duffel bag alternative, Nike has just what women are looking for. The Dance Tote from Nike is great for carrying dance shoes and outfits, as well as yoga mats and clothing. It comes with a unique design and an adjustable strap that can be worn in a number of ways for your comfort. Other stylish gym duffels for women include the Meta from Sherpani; the bag is great for moms on the go who need a quick workout, and is easy to carry. The multiple straps make transporting easy, and the multiple compartments give you the convenience of carrying the bag all day.

The next time you’re looking for a duffel bag that will serve all your needs, be sure to check out these brands to get more information on the varieties, styles, features, and colors that will suit you. Happy shopping!

Article by Tamiya King from AssociatedContent.com

Gym duffel bags are the ideal “carry all” solution for those who have a lot of clothing and gear to bring with them that doesn’t need special protection. These days they are often used for sports teams, providing the perfect solution for kids or adults who need to bring uniforms and other related items with them on this kind of a trip. Many also have built-in handles and wheels for easy transport. These bags need to be able to take a real beating and still do their job.

When buying a duffel bag for any use, it is a smart move to check out its construction to be sure it will hold up over time. Features to keep an eye out for include:

• Heavy duty corner molds and piping which will help the bag stand up to being packed away in a locker, trunk, plane or bus compartment.
• A sturdy handle and wheels that will function well even when the bag is full.
• Solid materials used for construction. Look for a dense polyester, nylon or other durable material that won’t split, sag or stretch out of shape.
• Over-sized or heavy duty zippers mean that the bag can be packed tight without worrying that it will be an issue on a trip.
• Lining. Although this may be a little bit of overkill, a well-lined gym duffel can help preserve it for a long time and make good on your investment.

While that might sound like an oxymoron, the fact is that luxury gym bags are out there and they are making statements in gyms all over the planet. From leather sports duffels to high end brands, these bags are both functional and distinctive. Here are a few high-end gym bags I found recently that I wouldn’t mind toting along to my next workout.

	The Derek Alexander Leather Sports Duffel is made from a soft leather and is the ultimate gym bag, overnighter, or carry-on bag. The interior is fully lined and there are two large zip compartments on either end of the bag - 1 with a toiletry organizer and 1 with a heavy-duty nylon shoe pocket.
	Tumi, the premier name in luxury luggage, also offers their Tumi Rector Sport Duffel. This bag features a shoe/wet pocket, water bottle pocket, and numerous interior and exterior pockets.
	Looking for a luxury yoga bag? Look no further than the Crescent Moon Leather Metro Mat Bag. This fully-lined leather yoga bag will easily carry your mat, towel, and workout clothes. There is also an internal security pocket for keys, cash, credit cards, etc.

Is there really a difference between a gym bag that is made for a women and one that is made for a man? You bet there is!

Women’s gym bags need to fulfill a host of functions that a man’s bag could never stand up to. We need pouches for our hand towels and perfume, zipped containers for our makeup and space enough to fit our change of clothes–which can include another pair of shoes and a light jacket–just in case it gets chilly. A truly great gym bag is attractive, durable and constructed for the myriad of functions a woman needs them to address. Luckily these days you don’t have to sacrifice style for convenience as there are a multitude of choices available.

The other factor to consider is that truly well made women’s gym bags are specifically engineered in size and weight for a woman’s body. This can make the bag far more comfortable to carry around than a lower quality, unisex substitute. Spending a few dollars more to get the better bag can make good sense in the long run. While it might feel indulgent, think about the fact that you will be better organized and more likely to run to the gym if you have a bag that is all packed and ready to go. It’s well worth the investment!

Choosing a gym bag doesn’t have to be a big ordeal, but taking a few minutes to think through what you need it to do for you can make all the difference in the world. Save yourself the trouble of wishing you had a particular feature by knowing what you’d like ahead of time. Here are some factors to consider prior to making the purchase:

• How much gear do you need to transport? Do you find yourself bringing just a towel and your lock to the health club? If so, a small bag will do. Do you go to the gym before work and shower there? You’ll need a larger bag with a separate pouch for your sweaty clothes. Look at your current habits to see what size is best for you.
• Are you a pocket freak? Some of us like to have a place for everything, and if this sounds like you–get a lot of pockets in your bag. You’ll be feeling satisfied and organized.
• Know the details. If you lose your keys often, make sure the bag has a key clip. If you are a swimmer, make sure the bag has an area to stash your wet suit. If you don’t leave home without your water bottle, invest in a bag that can hold one for you. Personalize your bag in features so that you have less to deal with. Save that mental energy for something useful.
• What’s your locker size? If you have a locker, think about whether your stuffed bag will fit inside before you buy. This happens more often than one might think.

Gym bags can be a great thing to have, but you’ll want to be sure that the one you select fits your lifestyle and meets your needs.